Systems and methods for medical imaging

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject&#39;s body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/150,708, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, which is a continuation of Ser. No.16/882,297, filed May 22, 2020, which is a continuation application ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2020/026920 filed on Apr. 6, 2020,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/830,934 filed on Apr. 8, 2019, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/952,892 filed on Dec. 23, 2019, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Medical imaging technology (e.g., a scope assembly, such as anendoscope) may be used to capture images or video data of internalanatomical or physiological features of a subject or patient duringmedical or surgical procedures. The images or video data captured may beprocessed and manipulated to provide medical practitioners (e.g.,surgeons, medical operators, technicians, etc.) with a visualization ofinternal structures or processes within a patient or subject.

Images or video data of internal anatomical or physiological features byan endoscope may be limited and often fail to provide complex anatomy orcritical structures beneath the tissue surface. The images or video datamay not show invisible features of the target site in real-time, e.g.,blood perfusion, cardiac output, hepatic function, etc. As a result,incomplete or incorrect analysis of the target site may be dangerous andlead to unintended tissue damage during surgical procedures. In somecases, at least 2% of hysterectomies may result in surgicalcomplications and unintended injuries, which may result in healthcarecosts of at least $1 billion annually in the U.S.

Additional diagnostic tools such as fluorescent dye-based angiography(e.g., indocyanine green (ICG) angiography) may be used in conjunctionto provide visualization of some complex anatomy or critical structures.However, ICG angiography may be costly in resources and time (e.g., mayrequire several minutes to 24 hours for the ICG dye to reach a targetsite), limited in accuracy (e.g., dyes may dissipate to off-target sitesduring surgical procedures), elicit allergic reactions in some patients,and/or lack real-time visualization capability. In addition, use ofseparate imaging tools for endoscopy and angiography may lead to furthersurgical complications, such as prolonged surgical time or chances ofcontamination.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses at least the abovementionedshortcomings of conventional medical imaging systems. In one aspect, thepresent disclosure provides an optical adapter that is compatible withone or more medical imaging technologies (e.g., a scope assembly). Insome cases, the optical adapter may allow visualization of additional ormultiple feature(s) of the target site without need for the use of thedye(s).

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an optical adaptercomprising: a housing comprising (1) a first end configured toreleasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured toreleasably couple to a camera; an image sensor in the housing; and anoptics assembly disposed in the housing, wherein the optics assembly isconfigured to (i) receive light signals that are reflected from a targetsite within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (ii)reflect a first portion of the light signals onto one of the imagesensor or the camera, while permitting a second portion of the lightsignals to pass through to the other of the image sensor or the camera.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is releasably coupled to thehousing.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is configured to generate a firstset of imaging data from the first portion of the light signals, and thecamera is configured to generate a second set of imaging data from thesecond portion of the light signals. In some embodiments, the first setof imaging data comprises laser speckle patterns, and the second set ofimaging data comprises photographic or video images.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is used for laser speckle imaging.

In some embodiments, the optics assembly comprises a beam splitter. Insome embodiments, the beam splitter comprises a dichroic mirror.

In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to reflect thefirst portion of the light signals onto the image sensor, whilepermitting the second portion of the light signals to pass through tothe camera. In some embodiments, the optics assembly comprises ashortpass dichroic mirror.

In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to reflect thefirst portion of the light signals onto the camera, while permitting thesecond portion of the light signals to pass through to the image sensor.In some embodiments, the optics assembly comprises a longpass dichroicmirror.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the light signals comprisesbackscattered light that is generated when the target site isilluminated with coherent laser light transmitted via the scope. In someembodiments, the coherent laser light is provided from a single lasersource having substantially a single wavelength. In some embodiments,the coherent laser light is provided from a plurality of laser sourceshaving a plurality of different wavelengths.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the light signals comprisesreflected light that is generated when the target site is illuminatedwith white light transmitted via the scope. In some embodiments, thesingle wavelength lies in an invisible spectrum. In some embodiments,the plurality of different wavelengths lies in an invisible spectrum. Insome embodiments, the reflected light is in a visible spectrum.

In some embodiments, the first end of the housing is configured toreleasably couple to the scope using a quick release mechanism. In someembodiments, the quick release mechanism is configured to releasablycouple the optical adapter to various types of scopes having differentsizes. In some embodiments, the quick release mechanism is configured topermit a user to releasably couple the first end of the housing to thescope without use of tools. In some embodiments, the quick releasemechanism is configured to permit a user to releasably couple the firstend of the housing to the scope in less than 30 seconds.

In some embodiments, the second end of the housing is configured toreleasably couple to the camera using a quick release mechanism. In someembodiments, the quick release mechanism is configured to releasablycouple the optical adapter to various types of cameras having differentsizes. In some embodiments, the quick release mechanism is configured topermit a user to releasably couple the second end of the housing to thecamera without use of tools. In some embodiments, the quick releasemechanism is configured to permit a user to releasably couple the secondend of the housing to the camera in less than 30 seconds.

In some embodiments, the optics assembly further comprises a focusingdevice for the image sensor.

In some embodiments, the optics assembly further comprises (i) a firstfocusing device for the image sensor and (ii) a second focusing devicefor the camera. In some embodiments, the first focusing device and thesecond focusing device are operably coupled to each other, such thatfocusing for the image sensor and for the camera can be performedconcurrently. In some embodiments, the first focusing device and thesecond focusing device are operably coupled to each other via a gearingmechanism. In some embodiments, the first focusing device and the secondfocusing device are provided separately and configured to be usedindependently of each other.

In some embodiments, the scope is configured to (1) receive a combinedlight beam from an illumination source and (2) direct the combined lightbeam onto the target site within the subject's body.

In some embodiments, the first end and the second end share a commonlongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the first end and the second endare provided on opposite sides of the housing.

In some embodiments, the first end and the second end do not share acommon longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the first end and thesecond end are provided on substantially orthogonal sides of thehousing.

In some embodiments, the image sensor and the camera have differentoptical axes.

In some embodiments, an optical axis of the image sensor is orthogonalto an optical axis of the camera.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is configured to releasably coupleto a surface of the housing, and wherein the surface is substantiallyorthogonal to the first end or the second end of the housing. In someembodiments, the image sensor comprises a casing that is configured toreleasably couple to the surface of the housing.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is disposable and configured forsingle use in a medical imaging procedure.

In some embodiments, the image sensor is configured to be reusable for aplurality of medical imaging procedures.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an imaging kitcomprising: any one of the subject optical adapters disclosed herein;and an illumination source configured to transmit a combined light beamto the scope for directing the combined light beam onto the target sitewithin the subject's body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method comprising:(a) combining white light with coherent laser light to generate acombined light beam; (b) providing the combined light beam to a scope;(c) using the scope to direct the combined light beam onto a target sitewithin a subject's body; (d) receiving, via the scope, light signalsthat are reflected from the target site; and (e) reflecting a firstportion of the light signals onto one of (i) an image sensor in anoptical adapter or (ii) a camera, while permitting a second portion ofthe light signals to pass through to the other of (i) the image sensoror (ii) the camera, wherein the optical adapter is configured toreleasably couple to both the scope and the camera.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the light signals is reflectedonto the image sensor, while the second portion of the light signals ispermitted to pass through to the camera.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the light signals is reflectedonto the camera, while the second portion of the light signals ispermitted to pass through to the image sensor.

In some embodiments, the optical adapter is disposed between the scopeand the camera when releasably coupled thereto.

In some embodiments, the scope and the camera are releasably coupled toorthogonal sides of the optical adapter.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method comprising:(a) providing an optical adapter comprising a housing, wherein an imagesensor is in the housing; (b) releasably coupling a first end of thehousing to a scope; (c) releasably coupling a second end of the housingto a camera; (d) providing a combined light beam to the scope, whereinthe combined light beam comprises white light combined with coherentlaser light; (e) using the scope to direct the combined light beam ontoa target site within a subject's body; (f) receiving, via the scope,light signals that are reflected from the target site; (g) reflecting afirst portion of the light signals onto one of the image sensor or thecamera, while permitting a second portion of the light signals to passthrough to the other of the image sensor or the camera; and (h) usingthe image sensor to generate a first set of imaging data from the firstportion of the light signals, and using the camera to generate a secondset of imaging data from the second portion of the light signals.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the light signals is reflectedonto the image sensor, while the second portion of the light signals ispermitted to pass through to the camera.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the light signals is reflectedonto the camera, while the second portion of the light signals ispermitted to pass through to the image sensor.

In some embodiments, the first set of imaging data comprises laserspeckle patterns.

In some embodiments, the second set of imaging data comprisesphotographic or video images.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer readable medium comprising machine executable code that, uponexecution by one or more computer processors, implements any of themethods above or elsewhere herein.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system comprisingone or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. Thecomputer memory comprises machine executable code that, upon executionby the one or more computer processors, implements any of the methodsabove or elsewhere herein.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of thepresent disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, thepresent disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, andits several details are capable of modifications in various obviousrespects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.To the extent publications and patents or patent applicationsincorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in thespecification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or takeprecedence over any such contradictory material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a system for medical imaging, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates a scope assembly, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D schematically illustrate examples of an opticaladapter operatively coupled to a scope assembly, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C schematically illustrate an example ecosystem of asubject optical adapter and a scope apparatus.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example flowchart of a method formedical imaging, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a different example flowchart of amethod for medical imaging, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another different example flowchart ofa method for medical imaging, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate comparative images of a tissue siteobtained by a subject system for medical imaging and an existingdye-based angiography apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate comparative methods based onexisting surgical procedures and a subject system for medical imaging,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate a machine learning algorithmthat is operatively coupled to the subject system for medical imaging,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a computer system that is programmedor otherwise configured to implement methods provided herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary imaging system in accordance with oneor more embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the imaging system ofFIG. 12 , in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C illustrate screenshots of an exemplary standardRGB surgical image, laser speckle contrast image, and laser specklecontrast image overlaid on the standard image, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary camerafor depth and laser speckle imaging, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary camerafor hyperspectral, depth, and laser speckle imaging, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computernode that can be used in connection with the medical imaging systemsdisclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and describedherein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that suchembodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations,changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the invention. It should be understood that variousalternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may beemployed.

Whenever the term “at least,” “greater than” or “greater than or equalto” precedes the first numerical value in a series of two or morenumerical values, the term “at least,” “greater than” or “greater thanor equal to” applies to each of the numerical values in that series ofnumerical values. For example, greater than or equal to 1, 2, or 3 isequivalent to greater than or equal to 1, greater than or equal to 2, orgreater than or equal to 3.

Whenever the term “no more than,” “less than,” or “less than or equalto” precedes the first numerical value in a series of two or morenumerical values, the term “no more than,” “less than,” or “less than orequal to” applies to each of the numerical values in that series ofnumerical values. For example, less than or equal to 3, 2, or 1 isequivalent to less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2, or lessthan or equal to 1.

The term “perfusion,” as used herein, generally refers to passage offluid through the circulatory system or lymphatic system to an organ ora tissue. In an example, perfusion may refer to the delivery of blood atthe level of the arteries or capillaries, in which exchange of oxygenand/or nutrients between blood and tissue takes place. In some cases,perfusion may comprise flow rate of the fluid, volume of the fluid thatis present or traversing across a target tissue site, a pattern of flowchannels of the fluid at the target tissue site, or a combinationthereof. In some cases, perfusion of the liquid of interest may beincreasing, decreasing, or remaining substantially the same during oneor more imaging processes. In some cases, any change in flow rate orvolume of the perfusing fluid may be indicative of (i) one or morebiological events or (ii) one or more surgical events occurring upstreamof, downstream of, or substantially at the target tissue site. Whenquantified, perfusion may be measured as the rate at which blood isdelivered to tissue, or volume of blood per unit time (blood flow) perunit tissue mass, in units of cubic meter per second per kilogram(m³/s/kg) or milliliters per minute per grams (mL/min/g). Degree ofperfusion may be indicative of one or more health conditions, e.g.,cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovasculardisease, peripheral artery disease, etc.

The term “real time” or “real-time,” as used interchangeably herein,generally refers to an event (e.g., an operation, a process, a method, atechnique, a computation, a calculation, an analysis, a visualization,an optimization, etc.) that is performed using recently obtained (e.g.,collected or received) data. In some cases, a real time event may beperformed almost immediately or within a short enough time span, such aswithin at least 0.0001 millisecond (ms), 0.0005 ms, 0.001 ms, 0.005 ms,0.01 ms, 0.05 ms, 0.1 ms, 0.5 ms, 1 ms, 5 ms, 0.01 seconds, 0.05seconds, 0.1 seconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or more. In some cases, areal time event may be performed almost immediately or within a shortenough time span, such as within at most 1 second, 0.5 seconds, 0.1seconds, 0.05 seconds, 0.01 seconds, 5 ms, 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.1 ms, 0.05ms, 0.01 ms, 0.005 ms, 0.001 ms, 0.0005 ms, 0.0001 ms, or less.

Recognized herein are various limitations with medical imaging systemscurrently available. Conventional medical imaging systems (e.g., a scopesuch as an endoscope) may use a single light signal (e.g., a whitelight) to visualize a target site (e.g., an internal portion) within asubject. Such visualization may be limited to two-dimensionalrepresentation of the surface of a target site (e.g., a tissue ofinterest). In some cases, conventional medical procedures may utilize anadditional imaging technique or setup to visualize an additional featureof the target site, e.g., internal processes such as perfusion (e.g.,blood flow). In an example, one or more dyes (e.g., ICG dyes) may beused in conjunction with endoscopy to visualize blood flow. In anotherexample, a separate laser speckle imaging setup may be used to visualizeadditional features of the target site, such as the blood flow. However,the additional imaging technique or setup may (i) limit the time frameduring which an operator may visualize changes in the additional featureand/or (ii) require additional personnel (e.g., technicians or medicalpractitioners) on site to manage the components and processes.

The optical adapter of the present disclosure may allow visualization ofstructures or features (e.g., blood flow) that are in a target site,near a target site, and/or beneath the surface of a target site, whichstructures or features would ordinarily be invisible to the human eye orother scope assemblies. The optical adapter of the present disclosuremay allow visualization of one or more anatomical structures and/orphysiological features or functions. The optical adapter of the presentdisclosure may be used for physiologic, pathologic, morphologic, and/oranatomic visualizations of various structures, features, and/orfunctions within a subject's body. The optical adapter of the presentdisclosure may make the invisible, visible. The optical adapter of thepresent disclosure may help visualize the invisible. The opticaladapter, as a single setup with an existing scope assembly (e.g., anendoscope with an off-the-shelf camera), may enable a plurality ofdifferent imaging modalities. For example, the optical adapter mayprovide speckle imaging capabilities as well as photographic imagesand/or video in a single setup. In such case, the optical adapter mayallow users to switch between different visualization modes, e.g., (i)white-light based video only, (ii) laser speckle imaging only, and (iii)both white-light based video and laser speckle imaging.

The optical adapter of the present disclosure may allow visualization ofperfusion (e.g., blood perfusion) at a tissue site of interestsubstantially in real-time, as compared to delayed visualization ofperfusion data from dye-based angiography. In an example, a real-timeevent may comprise visualization of blood perfusion at a tissue site, inwhich a data set (e.g., one or more light signals) indicative of theblood perfusion is captured by a tool (e.g., an image sensor), and thedata is transmitted to a display for visualization to a user. In anotherexample, a real-time event may comprise combining two different datasets that are indicative of different features of the tissue site for asimultaneous visualization at the display.

By enhancing the flexibility and use of existing medical imagingequipment, the optical adapter of the present disclosure may not requireor incur expensive capital equipment upgrades in healthcareenvironments. By replacing existing dye-based imaging systems, theoptical adapter of the present disclosure may reduce operating roomfootprint.

The optical adapter of the present disclosure may be usable for a numberof medical applications, e.g., general surgery, neurosurgicalprocedures, orthopedic procedures, and spinal procedures. The opticaladapter of the present disclosure may be applicable to a wide variety ofendoscopy-based procedures, including, but are not limited to,cholecystectomy (e.g., 1,200,000 procedures per year), hysterectomy(e.g., 575,000 procedures per year), thyroidectomy (e.g., 150,500procedures per year), and gastrectomy (e.g., 225,000 procedures peryear).

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical adapter formedical imaging. The optical adapter may be configured to be operativelycoupled to a scope assembly for medical imaging. The optical adapter mayenhance one or more functions (e.g., imaging functions) of the scopeassembly. The optical adapter may introduce one or more additionalfunctions (e.g., imaging functions) to the scope assembly. The opticaladapter may allow a user (e.g., a medical practitioner such as aphysician, nurse practitioner, nurse, imaging specialist, etc.) tovisualize and/or analyze a target site of a subject, such as internaltissue of a patient, in one or more ways that any traditional scopeassembly alone cannot.

The optical adapter (or at least a portion of the optical adapter) maybe reused, and may be interchangeable with different scope assemblies.In some cases, the optical adapter may allow a scope from a first scopeassembly to be operatively coupled to a camera of a different scopeassembly, to thereby further diversifying imaging modalities of existingscope assemblies.

The scope assembly may be configured to visualize external and/or innersurface of a tissue (e.g., skin or internal organ) of a subject. Thescope assembly may be used to (i) examine (e.g., visually examine) thetissue of the subject and (ii) diagnose and/or assist in a medicalintervention (e.g., treatments, such as a surgery). In some cases, thescope assembly may be an endoscope. Examples of the endoscope mayinclude, but are not limited to, a cystoscope (bladder), nephroscope(kidney), bronchoscope (bronchus), arthroscope (joints) and colonoscope(colon), and laparoscope (abdomen or pelvis).

The optical adapter may be configured to be operatively coupled to atleast 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more scope assemblies. The optical adapter maybe configured to be operatively coupled to at most 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1scope assembly. The optical adapter may be disposable and configured forsingle use in a medical imaging procedure. Alternatively, the opticaladapter may be configured to be reusable for a plurality of medicalimaging procedures. The plurality of medical imaging procedures may befor the same subject (e.g., the same patient) or for a plurality ofdifferent subjects. The optical adapter may be reusable for at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 1,000, or more medical imaging procedures. The optical adaptermay be reusable for at most 1,000, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70,60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 medical imagingprocedures. In some cases, the optical adapter may be autoclavable for asterile subsequent use.

The optical adapter may be configured to receive one or more lightsignals from the target site of the subject. The optical adapter may beconfigured to receive at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or morelight signals from the target site. The optical adapter may beconfigured to receive at most 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 lightsignal from the target site. The one or more light signals may bereflected or emitted from the target site upon exposure or illuminationof the target site to an optical beam. In some examples, a naturaltissue of the target site or one or more dyes introduced to the targetsite may be responsible for reflecting or emitting the one or more lightsignals. Alternatively or in addition to, the one or more light signalsmay be emitted by the target site in absence of any exposure to anoptical beam. In an example, the target site may emit at least a portionof the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared radiation.

Infrared radiation emission by the target site may range from the rededge of the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 700 nanometers(nm) to about 1 millimeters (mm), which is approximately equivalent to afrequency of about 430 terahertz (THz) to about 300 gigahertz (GHz).Regions within the infrared spectrum may include, for example,near-infrared (NIR), short-wavelength infrared (SWIR), mid-wavelengthinfrared (MWIR), intermediate infrared (IIR), long-wavelength infrared(LWIR), and far-infrared (FIR). Near-infrared signal may range fromabout 0.7 micrometer (μm) to about 1.4 μm, which is approximatelyequivalent to a frequency of about 214 THz to about 400 THz.Long-wavelength infrared may range from about 8 μm to about 15 μm, whichis approximately equivalent to a frequency of about 20 THz to about 37THz.

The optical beam may comprise a single light beam from a single lightsource. Alternatively, the optical beam may be a combined light beamcomprising a plurality of light beams. In some cases, the plurality oflight beams may be directed to the target site from the same direction.Alternatively, the plurality of light beams may be directed to thetarget site from different directions. In some cases, the plurality oflight beams may comprise (i) a white light and (ii) one or more laserbeams. The plurality of light beams may be directed from a singleoptical source or a plurality of optical sources. The one or more laserbeams may include at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more laserbeams. The one or more laser beams may include at most 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 laser beam.

Laser beams of varying wavelengths may be selected based on a desiredpenetration depth of the tissue site. Alternatively or in addition to,laser beams of varying wavelengths may be selected based on acomposition of interest (e.g., one or more molecules, compounds, orchemicals) present or expected to be present at the tissue site. In anexample, a first laser beam having a first wavelength may be selectedfor detecting oxygenated blood, whereas a second laser beam having asecond wavelength may be selected for detecting de-oxygenated blood. Auser of the subject systems and methods provided herein may be able toselect one or more laser wavelengths of interest depending on suchparameters of the tissue site.

The scope assembly may comprise a scope and a camera. The scope and thecamera may be operatively coupled to each other, e.g., electronically ormechanically. The scope and the camera may be releasably coupled to eachother. The scope may be configured to (1) receive a light beam from anillumination source and (2) direct the light beam onto the target siteof the subject's body. In some cases, the scope may be configured to (1)receive a combined light beam from the illumination source and (2)direct the combined light beam onto the target site within the subject'sbody.

The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises a first endand a second end. The first end may be configured to couple to a scopeof the scope assembly. The second end may be configured to couple to thecamera of the scope assembly. Any one of the subject couplings of thepresent disclosure may utilize one or more coupling mechanisms, such as,for example, magnets (e.g., electromagnet or permanent magnet),mechanical tethers (e.g., string or thread tethers), adhesives (e.g.,solids, semi-solids, gels, viscous liquids, etc.), male-to-femalefasteners (e.g., mating or interlocking fasteners, hooks and holes,hooks and loops such as Velcro™, a female nut threaded onto a male bolt,a male protrusion inserted into a female indentation in LEGO blocks, amale threaded pipe fitted into a female threaded elbow in plumbing, amale universal serial bus (USB) plug inserted into a female USB socket,etc.), screw-on coupling (e.g., with or without a coaxial connector),elastic coupling, gear coupling, hydrodynamic coupling, and othergasping mechanisms such as robotic arms that hold two or more componentsoperatively relative to each other. In some cases, the coupling (i)between the first end of the housing and the scope and/or (ii) betweenthe second end of the housing and the camera may be reversible orirreversible. In some examples, the coupling may be a releasablecoupling.

In some cases, the first end of the housing may be configured toreleasably couple to the scope using a quick release mechanism (e.g.,snap-fit, latches, etc.). The quick release mechanism may be configuredto releasably couple the optical adapter to various types of scopeshaving different sizes. In an example, the first end may comprisedifferent sections with varied dimensions (e.g., different radialdimensions) configured to releasably coupled to different scopes havingdifferent sizes. In another example, the first end may comprise anadjustable aperture mechanism with adjustable aperture diameter toaccommodate different scopes having different sizes. The quick releasemechanism may be configured to quickly move between a lock position(i.e., a coupled position) and a release position (i.e., a non-coupledposition) in response to one or more movements of the quick releasemechanism, such as a single, non-repetitious movement (e.g., lateral orrotational) of the quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanismmay be configured to quickly move between a lock and a release positionin response to a user instruction via a switch, e.g., a mechanicalswitch disposed on the optical adapter or the scope.

The quick release mechanism may be configured to permit the user toreleasably couple the first end of the housing to the scope without useof tools. Alternatively, the quick release mechanism may be configuredto permit the user to releasably couple the first end of the housing tothe scope with one or more tools, e.g., one or more keys to operativelycoupled to the quick release mechanism to activate release of the quickrelease mechanism. The quick release mechanism may be configured topermit the user to releasably couple the first end of the housing to thescope in less than 60 seconds. The quick release mechanism may beconfigured to permit the user to releasably couple the first end of thehousing to the scope in less than 60 seconds, 55 seconds, 50 seconds, 45seconds, 40 seconds, 35 seconds, 30 seconds, 25 seconds, 20 seconds, 15seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, or less.

In some cases, the coupling between the first end of the housing and thescope may not utilize a quick release mechanism. In some cases, thescope may be screwed on to the first end of the housing, therebypreventing a quick release of the scope from the first end of thehousing. In an example, a coupling surface of the first end of thehousing may substantially mimic the structure of a coupling surface ofthe camera, wherein the coupling surface of the camera is originallyconfigured to couple to the scope.

In some cases, the second end of the housing may be configured toreleasably couple to the camera of the scope assembly using a quickrelease mechanism (e.g., snap-fit, latches, etc.). The quick releasemechanism may be configured to releasably couple the optical adapter tovarious types of cameras having different sizes. In an example, thesecond end may comprise different sections with varied dimensions (e.g.,different radial dimensions) configured to releasably coupled todifferent cameras having different sizes. In another example, the secondend may comprise an adjustable aperture mechanism with adjustableaperture diameter to accommodate different cameras having differentsizes. The quick release mechanism may be configured to quickly movebetween a lock position (i.e., a coupled position) and a releaseposition (i.e., a non-coupled position) in response to one or moremovements of the quick release mechanism, such as a single,non-repetitious movement (e.g., lateral or rotational) of the quickrelease mechanism. The quick release mechanism may be configured toquickly move between a lock and a release position in response to a userinstruction via a switch, e.g., a mechanical switch disposed on theoptical adapter or the camera.

The quick release mechanism may allow for precise coupling of twomembers, such as (i) the first end of the housing and the scope or (ii)the second end of the housing and the camera. The precise coupling mayprovide an optimal optical path between the two members. The precisecoupling may be achieved within an accuracy of less than about 20 μm. Insome cases, the precise coupling may be achieved within an accuracy ofat most about 100 μm, 90 μm, 80 μm, 70 μm, 60 μm, 50 μm, 40 μm, 30 μm,20 μm, 10 μm, 9 μm, 8 μm, 7 μm, 6 μm, 5 μm, μm, 3 μm, 2 μm, 1 μm, 900nm, 800 nm, 700 nm, 600 nm, 500 nm, 400 nm, 300 nm, 200 nm, 100 nm, 50nm, or less.

The quick release mechanism may be configured to permit the user toreleasably couple the second end of the housing to the camera withoutuse of tools. Alternatively, the quick release mechanism may beconfigured to permit the user to releasably couple the second end of thehousing to the camera with one or more tools, e.g., one or more keys tooperatively coupled to the quick release mechanism to activate releaseof the quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism may beconfigured to permit the user to releasably couple the second end of thehousing to the camera in less than 60 seconds. The quick releasemechanism may be configured to permit the user to releasably couple thesecond end of the housing to the camera in less than 60 seconds, 55seconds, 50 seconds, 45 seconds, 40 seconds, 35 seconds, 30 seconds, 25seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, or less.

In some cases, the coupling between the second end of the housing andthe camera may not utilize a quick release mechanism. In some cases, thecamera may be screwed on to the second end of the housing, therebypreventing a quick release of the camera from the second end of thehousing. In an example, a coupling surface of the second end of thehousing may substantially mimic the structure of a coupling surface ofthe scope, wherein the coupling surface of the scope is originallyconfigured to couple to the camera.

The housing may include one or more biologically acceptable and/orcompatible materials suitable for medical applications, depending on theparticular application and/or preference of a medical practitioner. Forexample, components of the housing may include or be fabricated frommaterials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, lowdensity polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyisobutene,poly(ethylene-vinylacetate) copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil andcombinations thereof, stainless steel alloys, commercially puretitanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys, copper alloys, Grade 5titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, stainlesssteel alloys, superelastic metallic alloys (e.g., Nitinol, superelasto-plastic metals, such as GUM META® manufactured by Toyota MaterialIncorporated of Japan), ceramics and composites thereof such as calciumphosphate (e.g., SKELITE™ manufactured by Biologix Inc.), thermoplasticssuch as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone(PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK),carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaS04 polymeric rubbers, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane,silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers,hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubbers,thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, elastomeric composites,rigid polymers including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide,polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy, glass, and combinations thereof.

At least a portion of the housing may be opaque, semi-transparent, ortransparent. In some cases, the housing may be opaque and configured toblock any external light from (i) entering through the housing into oneor more components within the housing and (ii) interfering with the oneor more light signals from the target site of the subject that isreceived by the optical adapter.

Pressure inside the housing of the optical adapter may be approximatelythe same as ambient pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure).Alternatively, the pressure inside the housing may be controlled (orregulated, e.g., manually or automatically) such that the inner pressureof the housing is lower or higher than the ambient pressure. Temperatureinside the housing of the optical adapter may be approximately the sameas ambient temperature (e.g., room temperature). Alternatively, thetemperature inside the housing may be controlled (or regulated, e.g.,manually or automatically) such that the inner temperature of thehousing is lower or higher than the ambient temperature. Humidity insidethe housing of the optical adapter may be approximately the same asambient humidity. Alternatively, the humidity inside the housing may becontrolled (or regulated, e.g., manually or automatically) such that theinner humidity of the housing is lower or higher than the ambienthumidity. In some examples, the pressure, temperature, and/or humidityof the optical adapter may be regulated for optimal function of theoptical adapter.

The first end of the housing and the scope may be coupled directly toeach other. Alternatively, the first end of the housing and the scopemay be operatively coupled to each other via one or more couplers. Thesecond end of the housing and the camera may be coupled directly to eachother. Alternatively, the second end of the housing and the camera maybe operatively coupled to each other via one or more couplers (e.g., acoupling ring). In some cases, a first end of a coupler may beconfigured to couple (e.g., releasably couple) to the scope, and asecond end of the coupler may be configured to couple (e.g., releasablycouple) to the first end of the housing. In some cases, a first end of acoupler may be configured to couple (e.g., releasably couple) to thecamera, and a second end of the coupler may be configured to couple(e.g., releasably couple) to the second end of the housing.

The first end and the second end of the housing may share a commonlongitudinal axis. In some cases, the first end and the second end maybe provided on opposite sides of the housing. In such cases, once theoptical adapter is operatively coupled to the scope assembly, the scopeand the camera of the scope assembly may be disposed on opposite sidesof the housing of the optical adapter. Alternatively, the first end andthe second end of the housing may not share a common longitudinal axis.In such case, the first end and the second end may be provided onorthogonal sides of the housing.

The optical adapter may comprise one or more sensors. The opticaladapter may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more sensors. Theoptical sensor may comprise at most 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 sensor. Examples ofthe one or more sensors may include, but are not limited to, pressuresensor, temperature sensor, optical sensor (e.g., image sensor), gascomposition sensor, membrane or diaphragm sensor, thin film sensor,resistive or capacitive sensor, or other type of sensing device. The oneor more sensors may be permanently coupled to the optical adapter or,alternatively, removable from the optical adapter.

In some cases, the optical adapter may comprise an image sensor. Theimage sensor may be a part of the optical adapter. The image sensor maybe permanently coupled to the optical adapter or, alternatively,removable from the optical adapter. In an example, the image sensor maybe configured to releasably couple to the housing of the opticaladapter. The image sensor may be configured to releasably couple to asurface of the housing, and the surface may be substantially orthogonalto the first end and/or the second end of the housing. In such a case,the image sensor may comprise a casing that is configured to releasablycouple to the surface of the housing. Alternatively, the surface may notbe substantially orthogonal to the first end and/or the second end ofthe housing. The image sensor may be coupled (e.g., releasably coupled)to the housing using one or more of the abovementioned couplingmechanisms.

The image sensor may be disposable and configured for single use in amedical imaging procedure. Alternatively, the image sensor may beconfigured to be reusable for a plurality of medical imaging procedures.The plurality of medical imaging procedures may be for the same subject(e.g., the same patient) or for a plurality of different subjects. Theimage sensor may be reusable for at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1,000, or moremedical imaging procedures. The image sensor may be reusable for at most1,000, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9,8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 medical imaging procedures. In some cases, theimage sensor may be autoclavable for a sterile subsequent use.

The image sensor may be configured to receive a light signal from thetarget site of the subject for analysis and/or visualization of thetarget site of the subject. Such light signal may be reflected oremitted from the target site. The image sensor may be configured todetect the light signal from the target site and transform the detectedlight signal to generate an image indicative of the target tissue. Thegenerated image may be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional (e.g.,two-dimensional, three-dimensional, etc.). Alternatively, the imagesensor may be operatively coupled to a processor. In such case, theimage sensor may be configured to detect the light signal from thetarget site and convert the detected light signal into a digital signal.The image sensor may further be configured to transmit the digitalsignal to the processor that is capable of generating an imageindicative of the target tissue.

Examples of the image sensor may include, but are not limited to, acharge coupled device (CCD), metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) (e.g.,complementary MOS, i.e., CMOS), modifications thereof, functionalvariants thereof, and modifications thereof. The optical adapter maycomprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more image sensors. The opticaladapter may comprise at most 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 image sensor.

The casing of the image sensor may include one or more biologicallyacceptable and/or compatible materials suitable for medicalapplications, depending on the particular application and/or preferenceof a medical practitioner. For example, components of the casing mayinclude or be fabricated from materials such as polyvinyl chloride,polyvinylidene chloride, low density polyethylene, linear low densitypolyethylene, polyisobutene, poly(ethylene-vinylacetate) copolymer,lightweight aluminum foil and combinations thereof, stainless steelalloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys,copper alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys,cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallicalloys (e.g., Nitinol, super elasto-plastic metals, such as GUM METAL®manufactured by Toyota Material Incorporated of Japan), ceramics andcomposites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE™manufactured by Biologix Inc.), thermoplastics such aspolyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK),polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEKcomposites, PEEK-BaS04 polymeric rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers,polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigidmaterials, elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosetelastomers, elastomeric composites, rigid polymers includingpolyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene,epoxy, glass, and combinations thereof. The housing of the opticaladapter and the casing of the image sensor may be comprised of the sameor different materials.

At least a portion of the casing may be opaque, semi-transparent, ortransparent. In some cases, the casing may be opaque and configured toblock any external light from (i) entering through the casing into oneor more components within the casing (e.g., an imaging sensing mechanismof the image sensor such as CCD or CMOS) and (ii) interfering with theone or more light signals directed from the target site of the subjectand toward the image sensor.

The image sensor and the camera may have different optical axes. Anoptical axis of the image sensor and an optical axis of the camera mayintersect at an angle of at least 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4degrees, 5 degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, 10degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, or more. The optical axis of the imagesensor and the optical axis of the camera may intersect at an angle ofat most 90 degrees, 80 degrees, 70 degrees, 60 degrees, 50 degrees, 40degrees, 30 degrees, 20 degrees, 10 degrees, 9 degrees, 8 degrees, 7degrees, 6 degrees, 5 degrees, 4 degrees, 3 degrees, 2 degrees, 1degree, or less. In an example, the optical axis of the image sensor maybe orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera. Alternatively, theimage sensor and the camera may have parallel but different longitudinaloptical axes.

The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in thehousing. The optics assembly may be configured to receive light signalsfrom the target site and transmitted through the scope. In an example,the light signals may be reflected from the target site within thesubject's body. The optics assembly may further be configured to reflecta first portion of the light signals onto one of the image sensor andthe camera, while permitting a second portion of the light signals topass through to the other of the image sensor and the camera. In anexample, the optics assembly (e.g., comprising a shortpass dichroicmirror) may be configured to reflect a first portion of the lightsignals onto the image sensor, while permitting a second portion of thelight signals to pass through to the camera. In another example, theoptics assembly (e.g., comprising a longpass dichroic mirror) may beconfigured to reflect a first portion of the light signals onto thecamera, while permitting a second portion of the light signals to passthrough to the image sensor.

The first portion of the light signals may comprise deflected light(e.g., backscattered light) that is generated when the target site isilluminated with laser light (e.g., coherent laser light). In somecases, the coherent laser light may be transmitted toward the targetsite via the scope of the scope assembly. The coherent laser light maybe provided from a single laser source configured to emit a coherentlaser light having a single wavelength. Non-limiting examples of thesingle laser source may include a single mode laser, a laser diode witha volume-holographic grating (VHG), or a laser with a laser clean-upfilter (e.g., for narrow bandpass). The coherent laser light may beprovided from a plurality of laser sources having a plurality ofdifferent wavelengths. The plurality of different wavelengths may lie inan invisible spectrum. The invisible spectrum may comprise wavelengths(i) greater than about 700 nm and/or (ii) less than about 400 nm. Insome cases, the invisible spectrum may comprise wavelengths (i) greaterthan about 770 nm and/or (ii) less than about 390 nm. The second portionof the light signals may comprise reflected light that is generated whenthe target site is illuminated with a different light (e.g., whitelight). In some cases, the different light may be a white lightcomprising a plurality of wavelengths in the visible spectrum,comprising wavelengths between about 400 nm to about 700 nm. In somecases, the white light may be transmitted toward the target site via thescope. In some examples, the scope may comprise a plurality of opticalpaths to direct the coherent laser light and the white light separatelyfrom each other. In some examples, the scope may comprise a singleoptical path to direct a combined light that comprises both the coherentlaser light and the white light.

In some cases, the optics assembly may comprise a beam splitter. Thebeam splitter may be configured to receive light signals from the targetsite and (i) reflect the first portion of the light signals that is in afirst electromagnetic spectral range toward the image sensor, and (ii)permit the second portion of the light signals in a secondelectromagnetic spectral range to pass through toward the camera of thescope assembly. Alternatively, the beam splitter may be configured toreceive light signals from the target site and (i) reflect the secondportion of the light signals that is in the second electromagneticspectral range toward the camera of the scope assembly, and (ii) permitthe first portion of the light signals in the first electromagneticspectral range to pass through toward the image sensor. Examples of thebeam splitter may include, but are not limited to, a half mirror, adichroic beam splitter (e.g., a shortpass or longpass dichroic mirror),or a multi-band beam splitter. In an example, the beam splitter may be acube comprising two prisms (e.g., two triangular glass prisms) disposedadjacent to each other.

The first and second electromagnetic spectral ranges may be different.In some cases, the first portion of the light signals may comprise oneor more wavelengths from an invisible electromagnetic spectrum. Theinvisible electromagnetic spectrum may comprise one or more wavelengthsfrom about 700 nm (or 0.7 μm) to about 1 mm (or 1000 μm). Alternativelyor in addition to, the invisible electromagnetic spectrum may compriseone or more wavelengths lower than 400 nm. In some cases, the secondportion of the light signals may comprise one or more wavelengths from avisible electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from about 400 nm (or 0.4 μm)to about 700 nm (or 0.7 μm).

The first portion of the light signals may comprise one or morewavelengths from about 0.7 μm to about 1,000 μm. The first portion ofthe light signals may comprise one or more wavelengths from at leastabout 0.7 μm. The first portion of the light signals may comprise one ormore wavelengths from at most about 1,000 μm. The first portion of thelight signals may comprise one or more wavelengths from about 0.7 μm toabout 1 μm, about 0.7 μm to about 5 μm, about 0.7 μm to about 10 μm,about 0.7 μm to about 50 μm, about 0.7 μm to about 100 μm, about 0.7 μmto about 500 μm, about 0.7 μm to about 1,000 μm, about 1 μm to about 5μm, about 1 μm to about 10 μm, about 1 μm to about 50 μm, about 1 μm toabout 100 μm, about 1 μm to about 500 μm, about 1 μm to about 1,000 μm,about 5 μm to about 10 μm, about 5 μm to about 50 μm, about 5 μm toabout 100 μm, about 5 μm to about 500 μm, about 5 μm to about 1,000 μm,about 10 μm to about 50 μm, about 10 μm to about 100 μm, about 10 μm toabout 500 μm, about 10 μm to about 1,000 μm, about 50 μm to about 100μm, about 50 μm to about 500 μm, about 50 μm to about 1,000 μm, about100 μm to about 500 μm, about 100 μm to about 1,000 μm, or about 500 μmto about 1,000 μm. The first portion of the light signals may compriseone or more wavelengths from about 0.7 μm, about 1 μm, about 5 μm, about10 μm, about 50 μm, about 100 μm, about 500 μm, or about 1,000 μm.

The second portion of the light signals may comprise one or morewavelengths from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. The second portion of thelight signals may comprise one or more wavelengths from at least about400 nm. The second portion of the light signals may comprise one or morewavelengths from at most about 700 nm. The second portion of the lightsignals may comprise one or more wavelengths from about 400 nm to about450 nm, about 400 nm to about 500 nm, about 400 nm to about 550 nm,about 400 nm to about 600 nm, about 400 nm to about 650 nm, about 400 nmto about 700 nm, about 450 nm to about 500 nm, about 450 nm to about 550nm, about 450 nm to about 600 nm, about 450 nm to about 650 nm, about450 nm to about 700 nm, about 500 nm to about 550 nm, about 500 nm toabout 600 nm, about 500 nm to about 650 nm, about 500 nm to about 700nm, about 550 nm to about 600 nm, about 550 nm to about 650 nm, about550 nm to about 700 nm, about 600 nm to about 650 nm, about 600 nm toabout 700 nm, or about 650 nm to about 700 nm. The second portion of thelight signals may comprise one or more wavelengths from about 400 nm,about 450 nm, about 500 nm, about 550 nm, about 600 nm, about 650 nm, orabout 700 nm.

In some cases, the beam splitter may be a polarizing beam splitter,e.g., a Wollaston prism. The polarizing beam splitter may be configuredto receive light signals from the target site and (i) reflect the firstportion of the light signals that is in first polarization toward theimage sensor, and (ii) permit the second portion of the light signals insecond polarization to pass through toward the camera of the scopeassembly.

The optics assembly may not comprise any focusing device (e.g., anoptical aperture, such as an objective lens) ahead of the beam splitter(e.g., before the light signals reach the beam splitter). Alternatively,the optics assembly may comprise one or more focusing devices ahead ofthe beam splitter. The optics assembly may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4,5, or more focusing devices disposed ahead of the beam splitter. Theoptics assembly may comprise at most 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 focusing devicedisposed ahead of the beam splitter.

In some cases, the image sensor may be configured to generate a firstset of imaging data from the first portion of the light signals, and thecamera may be configured to generate a second set of imaging data fromthe second portion of the light signals. The first set of imaging dataand the second set of imaging data may be the same. In an example, thefirst and second set of imaging data may be the same in order to confirmvalidity of the collected data. Alternatively, the first and second setof imaging data may be different, e.g., may represent different featuresof the target site. The first set of imaging data may complement thesecond set of imaging data. In an example, the image sensor of theoptical adapter may be used for laser speckle imaging. In such a case,the first set of imaging data may comprise one or more laser specklepatterns, and the second set of imaging data may comprise one or morephotographic and/or video images. The first set of imaging data maycomprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more laser specklepatterns. The first set of imaging data may comprise at most 10, 9, 8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 laser speckle pattern.

Examples of features of the target site that may be detected by theimage sensor and recorded in the first set of imaging data may include,but are not limited to, temperature, surface depth (i.e., tomography),blood flow rate, oxygen concentration (e.g., in the blood), calciumpotential, electrical potential, magnetic field, presence of one or moremarkers of interest (e.g., immunological staining), etc.

A focusing device, as used herein in the present disclosure, maycomprise any lens (e.g., fish-eye, elliptical, conical, etc.),reflector, optic, concentrator, or other device that is capable ofreflecting or focusing light. In an example, the focusing device may bea relay lens. The optics assembly may comprise at least one focusingdevice (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more focusing devices) for theimage sensor. The at least one focusing device may be disposed betweenthe beam splitter and the image sensor. The optics assembly may compriseat least one focusing device (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or morefocusing devices) for the camera. The at least one focusing device maybe disposed between the beam splitter and the camera. In some cases, theoptics assembly may comprise at least one focusing device (e.g., atleast 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more focusing devices) disposed in the opticalpath between the scope and the beam splitter.

In some cases, the optics assembly may comprise (i) a first focusingdevice for the image sensor and (ii) a second focusing device for thecamera. The first focusing device may be operatively coupled to a firstfocusing knob to adjust degree of focusing of the first focusing device.The first focusing knob may be operatively coupled (e.g., electronicallyor mechanically coupled) to the first focusing device. In an example,the first focusing knob may be mechanically coupled to the firstfocusing device via a first gearing mechanism comprising one or moregears. The first focusing knob may be operable by the user to adjustfocusing of the first focusing device. The second focusing device may beoperatively coupled to a second focusing knob to adjust degree offocusing of the second focusing device. The second focusing knob may beoperatively coupled (e.g., electronically or mechanically coupled) tothe second focusing device. In an example, the second focusing knob maybe mechanically coupled to the second focusing device via a secondgearing mechanism comprising one or more gears. The second focusing knobmay be operable by the user to adjust focusing of the second focusingdevice.

In some cases, the first focusing device and the second focusing devicemay be operably coupled to each other (e.g., electronically ormechanically), such that focusing for the image sensor and for thecamera can be performed concurrently. In an example, first and secondfocusing devices may be coupled to each other via a gearing mechanismcomprising one or more gears. The first and second focusing devices maybe coupled to a common focusing knob that is operable by the user.Alternatively, the first focusing device may be operatively coupled to afirst focusing knob, the second focusing device may be operativelycoupled to a second focusing knob, and the first and second focusingknobs may be operatively coupled to each other. In such case, (i)operating the first focusing knob may adjust degree of focusing of boththe first and second focusing devices, and (ii) operating the secondfocusing knob may adjust degree of focusing of both the first and secondfocusing devices.

In some cases, the first focusing device and the second focusing devicemay not be operably coupled to each other. The first focusing device andthe second focusing device may be provided separately and configured tobe used independently of each other.

The at least one focusing device may be manually adjusted for focusing.In some cases, one or both of the first focusing device and the secondfocusing device may be manually adjusted for focusing. Alternatively,the at least one focusing device may be automatically adjusted forfocusing. In some cases, the optics assembly may be capable ofautofocusing the at least one focusing device. In some cases, one orboth of the first focusing device and the second focusing device may beautomatically adjusted for focusing. In an example, focusing the firstfocusing device (e.g., manually or automatically) may consequentlyautofocus the second focusing device, or vice versa. In another example,the first and second focusing devices may be autofocused simultaneously.

In some cases, the optics assembly of the housing may comprise at leastone focusing device for the image sensor and no focusing device for thecamera. In such case, the camera may have its own focusing device. Theat least one focusing device of the optics assembly and the focusingdevice of the camera may or may not be operatively coupled to eachother.

In some cases, a processor (or a computer) may be operatively linked tothe image sensor and the camera. The processor may be configured todirect the image sensor to capture a first set of imaging data anddirect the camera to capture a second set of imaging data. The processormay be configured to compare the first set and second set of imagingdata. Based at least in part on the comparison, the processor may beconfigured to direct one or more focusing devices that are operativelycoupled to the image sensor and/or the camera to adjust alignment of theimage sensor with respect to the camera. Such calibration of the imagesensor and/or the camera may improve alignment between an image of thefirst set of imaging data to another image of the second set of theimaging data. The calibration may be performed by the processor (e.g.,upon user instruction or automatically) (i) prior to use of the opticaladapter for imaging the target site and/or (ii) in real time during theimaging of the target site.

In some cases, a perspective (i.e., field of view) of the image sensorand a perspective (i.e., field of view) of the camera may be alignedwith respect to each other. The processor may be configured to directthe image sensor to capture a first set of imaging data (e.g., based onreflected infrared light or laser light from a target site) and directthe camera to capture a second set of imaging data (e.g., based onreflected white light from the target site). The processor may befurther configured to spatially (and/or temporally) align the first setand the second set of imaging data. In an example, the processor mayperform digital image processing on one or both of the first set and thesecond set of imaging data (e.g., affine transformation of one or morepixels of the first set and the second set of imaging data), such thatthe perspectives of the image sensor and the camera are aligned (orlined up) and spatially correspond to each other. Such alignment of thetwo imaging units may be useful when creating an overlay of the firstset and the second set of imaging data, e.g., when generating an overlayof blood flow and perfusion (e.g., from the image sensor) on top of thestandard white light surgical view (e.g., from the camera). In otherexamples, the processor may be configured to perform image registration.The processor may be configured to find one or more matching features inthe first set and the second set of imaging data, then calculate atransformation of one or both of the first set and the second set ofimaging data for their alignment. Non-limiting examples of such featuresinclude corners, lines, speeded up robust features (SURF), andscale-invariant feature transformation (SIFT) features.

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an example ecosystem for medicalimaging. The ecosystem may comprise a target site 100 of a subject(e.g., a tissue site of interest of a patient). The ecosystem maycomprise a scope assembly 200. The ecosystem may comprise anillumination source 230 in optical communication with the scope assembly200. The illumination source 230 may be configured to provide one ormore light beams (e.g., a combined light beam) via the scope assembly200 and toward the target site 100. The target site 100 may be inoptical communication with the scope assembly 200, such that (i) thetarget site 100 may be illuminated by the one or more light beams fromthe scope assembly 200 and (ii) the scope assembly 200 may detect one ormore light signals reflected or emitted by the target site 100 upon suchillumination. The scope assembly 200 may be configured to capture atleast one image or video of the target site based on at least a portionof the one or more light signals from the target site 100. The ecosystemmay comprise an optical adapter 300 that is operatively coupled to oneor more components of the scope assembly 200. The optical adapter 300may be in optical communication with the scope assembly 200, such that(i) the optical adapter 300 may receive one or more light signals fromthe scope assembly 200 and (ii) the scope assembly 200 may receive oneor more light signals from the optical adapter 300. The optical adapter300 may be configured to generate data (e.g., images, videos, lasespeckle imaging, etc.) based on at least an additional portion of theone or more light signals from the target site 100. The generated datamay encode different features of the target site than that of the atleast one image or video captured by the scope assembly 200. The scopeassembly 200 and the optical adapter 300 may be operatively coupled toan imaging processor 340. The imaging processor 340 may be configured toanalyze or combine data, image(s), or video(s) generated by the scopeassembly 200 and the optical adapter 300.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates an example ecosystem of the scopeassembly 200 in absence of the optical adapter 300. The scope assembly200 comprises a scope 210 and a camera 220 that are operatively coupledto each other. The scope 210 and the camera 220 may me mechanically andoptically in communication with each other. The scope 210 may be inoptical communication with the illumination source 230 via an opticalsignal path 235 (e.g., an optical fiber). The illumination source 230may direct one or more light beams via the optical signal path 235 andto the scope 210, and the scope 210 may direct the one or more lightbeams toward the target site 100. The scope 210 may also serve as anoptical signal path for any light signals reflected or emitted by thetarget site 100 toward the camera 220. The camera 220 may be operativelycoupled to the imaging processor 340 via a signal line 225 (e.g.,electrical wire such as copper wire, optical fiber, etc.). In somecases, a focusing coupler may be disposed between the scope 210 and thecamera 220. The focusing coupler may be permanently attached to thecamera 220. The focusing coupler may comprise a focusing knob.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrates an embodiment of the ecosystemshown in FIG. 1A, wherein the optical adapter 300 that is operativelycoupled to the scope assembly 200. FIG. 2A schematically illustrates aside view of the optical adapter 300, while FIG. 2B schematicallyillustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical adapter 300. Theoptical adapter 300 may comprise a housing 305. The housing 305 maycomprise a first end 350 configured to releasably couple to the scope210. The housing 305 may comprise a second end 360 configured toreleasably couple to the camera 220. The housing 305 may comprise animage sensor 310 within a casing 315. The image sensor 310 (e.g., thecasing 315 comprising the image sensor 310) may be configured toreleasably couple to the housing 305.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the housing 305 may comprise an optics assembly330 disposed in the housing 305. The optics assembly 330 may beconfigured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a targetsite 100 within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope 210,and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the imagesensor 310 while permitting a second portion of the light signals topass through and toward to the camera 220. The optics assembly 330 maycomprise a beam splitter, such as, for example, a dichroic mirror. Thehousing 305 may comprise a first focusing device (e.g., lens) disposedbetween the optics assembly 330 and the image sensor 310, which firstfocusing device being configured to focus the first portion of the lightsignals traveling from the optics assembly 330 and toward the imagesensor 310. The housing 305 may further comprise a first focusing knob320 configured to adjust degree of focusing of the first focusingdevice. The housing 305 may comprise a second focusing device (e.g.,lens) disposed between the optics assembly 330 and the camera 220, whichsecond focusing device being configured to focus the second portion ofthe light signals traveling from the optics assembly 330 and toward thecamera 220. The housing 305 may further comprise a second focusing knob325 configured to adjust degree of focusing of the second focusingdevice. The first focusing knob 320 and the second focusing knob 325 maybe operatively coupled to each other, thus operate in conjunction witheach other. In an example, operating the first focusing knob 320 tofocus the first focusing device may automatically direct the secondfocusing knob 325 to focus the second focusing device. In anotherexample, operating the first focusing knob 320 to defocus the firstfocusing device may automatically direct the second focusing knob 325 todefocus the second focusing device. Alternatively, operating the firstfocusing knob 320 to focus the first focusing device may automaticallydirect the second focusing knob 325 to defocus the second focusingdevice, or vice versa. In some cases, the first focusing knob 320 andthe second focusing knob 325 may operate independently from each other.

FIGS. 2C and 2D schematically illustrates an example of the ecosystemshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The first end 350 of the housing 305 and thescope 210 may be operatively coupled to each other via a coupler 340.The coupler 340 may be configured to releasably couple to the scope 210and the first end 350 of the housing 305. The coupler 340 may be inoptical communication with the scope 210 and the first end 350 of thehousing 305.

FIGS. 3A-3B schematically illustrate an embodiment of the ecosystem formedical imaging. The ecosystem may comprise a scope assembly 200comprising a scope 210 and a camera 220. The ecosystem further comprisesa subject optical adapter 300 of the present disclosure. For example,the optical adapter 300 may be releasably coupled to the scope assembly200 and comprise an image sensor and an optics assembly. The opticsassembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that arereflected from a tissue site within a subject's body and transmittedthrough the scope 210, and (2) reflect a first portion of the lightsignals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of thelight signals to pass through to the camera 220.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the scope assembly 200 may be operatively coupledto a base module 250. The base module 250 may comprise a processorconfigured to analyze data obtained by the camera 220, a light source toprovide light to the scope assembly 200, a display (e.g., a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) screen) to visualizethe data obtained by the camera. In some cases, the optical adapter 300may also be operatively coupled to the base module 250. The base module250 may be configured to provide a combined light (e.g., a white lightand one or more laser beams) through the scope 210 and to the tissuesite. The processor of the base module 250 may be configured to analyzeand visualize a first data set from the image sensor and a second dataset from the camera 220. Alternatively, the optical adapter 300 may beoperatively coupled to an additional imaging module 370 comprising alight source configured to provide the combined light through the scope210 and towards the tissue site. Such light source may be opticallycoupled to the light source (e.g., for white light) of the base module250, as well as one or more additional light sources that are configuredto provide the one or more laser beams. A processor of the additionalimaging module 370 may be configured to analyze and visualize the firstdata set from the image sensor. In addition, the processor of theadditional imaging module 370 may be operatively coupled to theprocessor of the base module 250 to generate a combined analysis andvisualization of the first data and the second data set from the camera220.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the additional imaging module 370 may comprise oneor more of the following features: (i) one or more processors forimaging and/or video processing, (ii) database for local image/videostorage, (iii) connections (e.g., wired or wireless) to healthcaredatabase network, (iv) connections (e.g., wired or wireless) to the basemodule 250 of the scope 210, and (v) one or more light sources (e.g.,high speed laser light source, hyperspectral light source, etc.).

FIG. 3C schematically illustrates multiple imaging modalities achievedby the subject optical adapter of the present disclosure. The basemodule 250 and/or the additional imaging module 370 may provide acombined light (e.g., a combination of white light and a plurality oflaser beams) through the scope 210 and to the tissue site. Upon exposureto the combined light, the tissue site may reflect or emit light signalstowards the optical adapter 300. Subsequently, an optics assembly of theoptical adapter 300 may be configured to receive the light signals thatare transmitted through the scope and reflect at least a portion of thelight signals onto an image sensor of the optical adapter. Examples ofthe at least the portion of the light signals that may be detected andrecorded by the image sensor may include, but are not limited to, (i)hyperspectral data 380 as unique fingerprint of the tissue site foridentification of the tissue type, (ii) a first order measurement ofreflections of laser light beams 382 for perfusion (e.g., blood flow)underneath the tissue site, and (iii) reflection of NIR light 384 thatmay be indicative of structures of the tissue site that would otherwisebe invisible to white light-based imaging. In some cases, the NIR lightthat is originally directed to the tissue site may be capable ofpenetrating the tissue site deeper than a white light, and thusreflection of such NIR light may reveal previously invisible structuresof the tissue site.

Any subject optical adapter of the present disclosure can beincorporated as part of an imaging kit. In an aspect, the presentdisclosure provides an imaging kit comprising any of the subject opticaladapter of the present disclosure and one or more illumination sources.The one or more illumination sources may be configured to transmit oneor more light beams to the scope of the scope assembly for directing theone or more light beams via the scope and onto the target site of thesubject's body. The kit may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, or more illumination sources. The kit may comprise at most 10, 9, 8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 illumination source. In some cases, a singleillumination source may be configured to transmit at least 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more light beams to the scope. The singleillumination source may be configured to transmit at most 10, 9, 8, 7,6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 light beam to the scope. In some cases, a pluralityof illumination sources may be configured to transmit at least 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more light beams to the scope. The plurality ofillumination sources may be configured to transmit at most 10, 9, 8, 7,6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 light beams to the scope. In an example, theillumination source may be configured to transmit a combined light beamto the scope for directing the combined light beam onto the target sitewithin the subject's body.

Any subject optical adapter of the present disclosure can be used formedical imaging of a target site of a subject. In an aspect, the presentdisclosure provides a method of using an optical adapter for medicalimaging. FIG. 4 shows an example flow chart of the method of using theoptical adapter for medical imaging. The method may comprise providing(i) an optical adapter and (ii) a scope assembly comprising a scope anda camera. The method may comprise combining a first light with a secondlight to generate a combined light beam. In some cases, the method maycomprise combining white light with coherent laser light to generate acombined light beam (process 410). The method may further compriseproviding the combined light beam to the scope (process 420). The methodmay further comprise using the scope to direct the combined light beamonto a target site within the subject's body (process 430). The methodmay further comprise receiving, via the scope, light signals that arereflected or emitted from the target site (process 440). Alternatively,the method may comprise receiving, via an additional optical path, thelight signals that are reflected or emitted from the target site. Themethod may further comprise reflecting a first portion of the lightsignals onto an image sensor in the optical adapter while permitting asecond portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera, theoptical adapter being configured to operatively couple (e.g., releasablycouple) to both the scope and the camera (process 450). In some cases,the optical adapter may be disposed between the scope and the camerawhen releasably coupled thereto. The scope, the optical adapter, and thecamera may share a common longitudinal axis.

FIG. 5 shows an additional example flow chart of the method of using theoptical adapter for medical imaging. The method may comprise providingan optical adapter that comprises a housing, wherein an image sensor ofthe optical adapter may be operatively coupled to the housing (process510). The image sensor may be permanently or releasably coupled to thehousing. The method may further comprise providing a scope assemblycomprising a scope and a camera. The method may further compriseoperatively coupling (e.g., releasably coupling) a first end of thehousing to the scope (process 520). The method may further compriseoperatively coupling (e.g., releasably coupling) a second end of thehousing to the camera (process 520). The method may further compriseproviding a combined light beam to the scope, the combined light beamcomprising a first light and a second light. In some cases, the methodmay comprise providing the combined light beam to the scope, thecombined light beam comprising white light combined with coherent laserlight (process 530). The method may further comprise using the scope todirect the combined light beam onto a target site within a subject'sbody (process 540). The method may further comprise receiving, via thescope, light signals that are reflected or emitted from the target site(process 550). Alternatively, the method may further comprise receiving,via an additional optical path, the light signals that are reflected oremitted from the target site. The method may further comprise reflectinga first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor whilepermitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to thecamera (process 560). The method may further comprise using the imagesensor to generate a first set of imaging data from the first portion ofthe light signals, and using the camera to generate a second set ofimaging data from the second portion of the light signals (process 570).In some cases, the first set of imaging data comprises laser specklepatterns. In some cases, the second set of imaging data comprisesphotographic or video images. Alternatively, the image sensor may notand need not be releasably coupled to the optical adapter, as describedin FIG. 6 . In such case, the optical adapter may comprise the imagesensor, and the image sensor may be integrated within the adapter.

In some embodiments, the optical adapter of the present disclosure mayallow a user (e.g., a medical practitioner) to visualize in both (i) animage or video of a target tissue site (e.g., captured by a camera of anexisting scope) and (ii) perfusion of a fluid of interest (e.g., bloodperfusion) underneath or within the target tissue site. In some cases,the optical adapter may allow the user to visualize (i) the image orvideo of the target tissue site and (ii) blood perfusion substantiallyin real time. In some cases, changes in blood perfusion at the targettissue site ma be indicative of one or more surgical complications(e.g., accidentally damaging a blood vessel) or an onset of potentialsurgical complications (e.g., stroke, seizure, allergic reactions of thesubject, etc.). Thus, the optical adapter of the present disclosure mayallow a user (e.g., a surgeon in an operating room) to (1) detect one ormore procedural or patient-related issues early as compared to anexisting scope apparatus alone, and (2) make an informed decisionwhether to proceed with or abort the remaining surgical procedure.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrates comparative images of a tissue site (e.g.,porcine small intestine) of a subject obtained by the optical adapter ofthe present disclosure or an existing ICG-based angiography. Referringto FIGS. 7A and 7B, some of the vessels in the mesentery weredevascularized using electrocautery, and the tissue site was imaged inreal-time by the ICG angiography (FIG. 7A) or the optical adapter thatis operatively coupled to an endoscope (FIG. 7B). In FIG. 7A, darkregions 710 indicate no blood perfusion, while light regions 715indicate presence of blood perfusion (e.g., full perfusion). In FIG. 7B,red regions 720 indicate no blood perfusion, while blue regions 725indicate presence of blood perfusion. Both ICG angiography and theoptical adapter can comparatively and accurately distinguish theablation region (710 and 720, respectively) in the tissue site.

Referring to FIGS. 7C and 7D, devascularization was further extended atthe tissue site shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the tissue site was imagedin real-time by the ICG angiography (FIG. 7C) or the optical adapterthat is operatively coupled to an endoscope (FIG. 7D). As shown in FIG.7C, no significant change in the color of the extended ablation site 730is apparent by the ICG angiography. Rather, the extended ablation site730 appears to have blood perfusion (i.e., false positive) due to ICGdyes previously injected and still present in the tissue site. Incontrast, as shown in FIG. 7D, the extended ablation site 740 clearlycaptured as a red region, confirming no blood perfusion at such site.Thus, the optical adapter can more accurately depict blood perfusiondata than the ICG angiography.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates advantages of the optical adapter of the presentdisclosure in comparison to existing systems and methods for medicalimaging. As shown in FIG. 8A, it may be necessary to obtain a survey(e.g., a pre-operation two-dimensional (2D) computerized tomography (CT)scan) of the tissue site prior to the surgery (e.g., 2 to 6 weeks priorto the surgery). In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8B, the optical adapterof the present disclosure, when operatively coupled to any existingendoscope system, may allow real-time visualization one or more features810 of the tissue site that would not be captured or distinguished bythe existing endoscope system alone. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8C,surgeons may often rely on a physical ruler to measure one or moredimensions (e.g., length, area, etc.) of the tissue site or featuresthereof. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8D, the optical adapter of thepresent disclosure may enable accurate measurements of such dimension(s)in real-time without the need for the physical ruler.

The optical adapter of the present disclosure may provide one or moreadvantages in comparison to existing ICG dye based systems for medicalimaging. The ICG dye based systems has been traditionally used for bloodperfusion data. In some cases, the ICG dye based systems may requiredifferent hardware equipment for different applications. Additionally,one ICG dye based system may not be compatible with all endoscopes.Thus, the ICG dye based systems may not be hardware agnostic. In somecases, instant update of hardware or software of the ICG dye basedsystems may not be possible. In some cases, because the ICG dye basedsystems rely on injection of dyes into the subject (e.g., the patient),the ICG dye is for a single-use only and may not be re-used even for thesame subject. Additionally, the ICG dye (or any other dyes for dyeangiography) may elicit allergic reaction to some subjects, thus may notbe applicable with every patient. In some cases, the ICG dye may requiretime (e.g., several minutes to hours) to reach the target site. Inaddition, upon reaching the target site, the dye may not stay at thetarget site for long. Alternatively, the dye may stay at the target sitefor too long and provide false positive or false negative imaging data.Thus, the ICG dye based systems may not be a reliable method forreal-time imaging of the tissue site. In contrast, the optical adapterof the present disclosure (i) may be hardware agnostic, (ii) may receiveinstant software updates, (iii) may be reused for the same subject ormultiple subjects if needed, (iv) may not elicit allergic reactions, (v)may be used with every patient, (vi) may provide 100% real-time data,(vii) and may provide blood perfusion data that is invisible totraditional endoscope systems without any dye-based angiography.

The optical adapter of the present disclosure may provide additionaladvantages in comparison to existing dye based systems for medicalimaging. The optical adapter may exhibit more of the following featuresthan any of the existing dye based systems for medical imaging: (i)minimally invasive imaging capability, (ii) visualization of perfusionat the tissue site, (iii) optimized mucosal view, (iv) tissueidentification, (v) quantified multi-dimensional (e.g.,three-dimensional) reconstruction and sensing, (vi) dye-free imaging,and (vii) data-rich overlay of images obtained by the optical adapter toimages obtained by a traditional endoscope camera.

In some embodiments, the optical adapter of the present disclosure maybe operatively coupled to a processor (e.g., a computer) configured toanalyze a light signal data set (e.g., light spectra, images, or videos)captured by the optical adapter and identify tissue type of the tissuesite or one or more features thereof. In an example, the optical adaptermay use hyperspectral imaging to identify the tissue type. The processormay be capable of employing one or more machine learning algorithms toanalyze a database comprising a plurality of known or previouslycollected data sets (e.g., light spectra, images, or videos) related toa plurality of tissue sites or features thereof. The one or more machinelearning algorithms may be capable of analyzing the light signal dataset from the image sensor of the optical adapter or an additional lightsignal data set from an endoscope camera. The one or more machinelearning algorithms may comprise an artificial neural network. Theartificial neural network may involve a network of simple processingelements (i.e., artificial neurons) which can exhibit complex globalbehavior, determined by the connections between the processing elementsand element parameters. With or without a training set (e.g., databaseof previously identified tissue sites and features thereof, along withrespective light signal data sets), the artificial neural network mayenhance the analysis capability of the machine learning algorithms. Asshown in FIG. 9 , the one or more machine learning algorithms of thepresent disclosure may comprise: (i) an input 910 comprising image/videodata that is collected from at least the optical adapter of the presentdisclosure, (ii) a machine learning module 920 for analysis of the input910, and (iii) an output 930. As shown in FIG. 10 , the artificialneural network of the one or more machine learning algorithms maycomprise an input layer 1010, one or more hidden layers (e.g., at leasttwo hidden layers 1020 and 1025), and an output layer 1030. The one ormore hidden layers may take in input signals (e.g., the light signaldata), analyze them, and convert them into an output (e.g., anidentified tissue type). In some cases, the light signal data input maycomprise at least wavelength (e.g., more than 3 wavelengths, up to 1000wavelengths, etc.). In some cases, the output layer 1030 may compriseone or more members of the following: (i) tissue identificationutilizing spectral fingerprint and/or perfusion data, (ii) spatiallocation (e.g., X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinates) of the tissue site orfeatures thereof, (iii) quantified perfusion (e.g., blood flow), (iv)surgical decision support (e.g., proceed vs. abort), and (v) geofencingof critical structures within the tissue site of interest.

In some cases, the optical adapter of the present disclosure may collectsurgical data that is multiple orders of magnitude denser or moredetailed compared to data collected from an existing imaging system(e.g., endoscope or dye-based imaging systems). In an example, astereoscopic measurement may not be capable of generating athree-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the tissue site, while theoptical adapter of the present disclosure may be capable of generating aquantitative depth map of the tissue site (e.g., with 0.5 millimeter orless depth error).

Any one of the subject optical adapters of the present disclosure can beused to visualize anatomy, morphology, one or more physiologicalfeatures, and/or one or more pathological features of a target sitewithin a subject's body. Examples of the physiological and/orpathological feature(s) can include, but are not limited to oxygenation,deoxygenation, artery-vein (A-V) classification, flow rate and/or flowvolume of a body fluid (e.g., blood, lymph, tissue fluid, milk, saliva,semen, bile, etc.) such as blood perfusion or infarction, angiogenesis,cell density, inflammation, tissue swelling (e.g., brain swelling),tissue death, tissue dimension (e.g., diameter, area, volume), viralinfection, bacterial infection, tumor dimension (e.g., diameter, area,volume), tumor margin after a tumor dissection, metastatic growth, etc.

Examples of the target site within the subject's body can include, butare not limited to, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, mammary gland,prostate gland, testicle, trachea, superior vena cava, interior venacava, lung, liver, gallbladder, kidney, ureter, appendix, bladder,urethra, heart, esophagus, diaphragm, aorta, spleen, stomach, pancreas,small intestine, large intestine, rectum, vagina, ovary, bone, thymus,skin, adipose, eye, brain, fetus, arteries, veins, nerves, ureter, bileduct, healthy tissue, and diseased tissue.

In some cases, a diseased tissue may be affected by a tumor or cancerselected from the group consisting of: Acanthoma, Acinic cell carcinoma,Acoustic neuroma, Acral lentiginous melanoma, Acrospiroma, Acuteeosinophilic leukemia, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Acutemegakaryoblastic leukemia, Acute monocytic leukemia, Acute myeloblasticleukemia with maturation, Acute myeloid dendritic cell leukemia, Acutemyeloid leukemia, Acute promyelocytic leukemia, Adamantinoma,Adenocarcinoma, Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Adenoma, Adenomatoidodontogenic tumor, Adrenocortical carcinoma, Adult T-cell leukemia,Aggressive NK-cell leukemia, AIDS-Related Cancers, AIDS-relatedlymphoma, Alveolar soft part sarcoma, Ameloblastic fibroma, Anal cancer,Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Anaplastic thyroid cancer,Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, Angiomyolipoma, Angiosarcoma,Appendix cancer, Astrocytoma, Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, Basalcell carcinoma, Basal-like carcinoma, B-cell leukemia, B-cell lymphoma,Bellini duct carcinoma, Biliary tract cancer, Bladder cancer, Blastoma,Bone Cancer, Bone tumor, Brain Stem Glioma, Brain Tumor, Breast Cancer,Brenner tumor, Bronchial Tumor, Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, Browntumor, Burkitt's lymphoma, Cancer of Unknown Primary Site, CarcinoidTumor, Carcinoma, Carcinoma in situ, Carcinoma of the penis, Carcinomaof Unknown Primary Site, Carcinosarcoma, Castleman's Disease, CentralNervous System Embryonal Tumor, Cerebellar Astrocytoma, CerebralAstrocytoma, Cervical Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma, Chondroma,Chondrosarcoma, Chordoma, Choriocarcinoma, Choroid plexus papilloma,Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Chronic monocytic leukemia, Chronicmyelogenous leukemia, Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorder, Chronicneutrophilic leukemia, Clear-cell tumor, Colon Cancer, Colorectalcancer, Craniopharyngioma, Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Degos disease,Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Dermoid cyst, Desmoplastic small roundcell tumor, Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Dysembryoplasticneuroepithelial tumor, Embryonal carcinoma, Endodermal sinus tumor,Endometrial cancer, Endometrial Uterine Cancer, Endometrioid tumor,Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, Ependymoblastoma, Ependymoma,Epithelioid sarcoma, Erythroleukemia, Esophageal cancer,Esthesioneuroblastoma, Ewing Family of Tumor, Ewing Family Sarcoma,Ewing's sarcoma, Extracranial Germ Cell Tumor, Extragonadal Germ CellTumor, Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer, Extramammary Paget's disease,Fallopian tube cancer, Fetus in fetu, Fibroma, Fibrosarcoma, Follicularlymphoma, Follicular thyroid cancer, Gallbladder Cancer, Gallbladdercancer, Ganglioglioma, Ganglioneuroma, Gastric Cancer, Gastric lymphoma,Gastrointestinal cancer, Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor,Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, Germcell tumor, Germinoma, Gestational choriocarcinoma, GestationalTrophoblastic Tumor, Giant cell tumor of bone, Glioblastoma multiforme,Glioma, Gliomatosis cerebri, Glomus tumor, Glucagonoma, Gonadoblastoma,Granulosa cell tumor, Hairy Cell Leukemia, Hairy cell leukemia, Head andNeck Cancer, Head and neck cancer, Heart cancer, Hemangioblastoma,Hemangiopericytoma, Hemangiosarcoma, Hematological malignancy,Hepatocellular carcinoma, Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, Hereditarybreast-ovarian cancer syndrome, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma,Hypopharyngeal Cancer, Hypothalamic Glioma, Inflammatory breast cancer,Intraocular Melanoma, Islet cell carcinoma, Islet Cell Tumor, Juvenilemyelomonocytic leukemia, Kaposi Sarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, KidneyCancer, Klatskin tumor, Krukenberg tumor, Laryngeal Cancer, Laryngealcancer, Lentigo maligna melanoma, Leukemia, Leukemia, Lip and OralCavity Cancer, Liposarcoma, Lung cancer, Luteoma, Lymphangioma,Lymphangiosarcoma, Lymphoepithelioma, Lymphoid leukemia, Lymphoma,Macroglobulinemia, Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, Malignant fibroushistiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone, Malignant Glioma,Malignant Mesothelioma, Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor,Malignant rhabdoid tumor, Malignant triton tumor, MALT lymphoma, Mantlecell lymphoma, Mast cell leukemia, Mediastinal germ cell tumor,Mediastinal tumor, Medullary thyroid cancer, Medulloblastoma,Medulloblastoma, Medulloepithelioma, Melanoma, Melanoma, Meningioma,Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma, Metastatic SquamousNeck Cancer with Occult Primary, Metastatic urothelial carcinoma, MixedMullerian tumor, Monocytic leukemia, Mouth Cancer, Mucinous tumor,Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome, Multiple Myeloma, Multiplemyeloma, Mycosis Fungoides, Mycosis fungoides, Myelodysplastic Disease,Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Myeloid leukemia, Myeloid sarcoma,Myeloproliferative Disease, Myxoma, Nasal Cavity Cancer, NasopharyngealCancer, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Neoplasm, Neurinoma, Neuroblastoma,Neuroblastoma, Neurofibroma, Neuroma, Nodular melanoma, Non-HodgkinLymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer, Non-Small CellLung Cancer, Ocular oncology, Oligoastrocytoma, Oligodendroglioma,Oncocytoma, Optic nerve sheath meningioma, Oral Cancer, Oral cancer,Oropharyngeal Cancer, Osteosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Ovarian Cancer,Ovarian cancer, Ovarian Epithelial Cancer, Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor,Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumor, Paget's disease of the breast,Pancoast tumor, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Papillary thyroidcancer, Papillomatosis, Paraganglioma, Paranasal Sinus Cancer,Parathyroid Cancer, Penile Cancer, Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor,Pharyngeal Cancer, Pheochromocytoma, Pineal Parenchymal Tumor ofIntermediate Differentiation, Pineoblastoma, Pituicytoma, Pituitaryadenoma, Pituitary tumor, Plasma Cell Neoplasm, Pleuropulmonaryblastoma, Polyembryoma, Precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, Primarycentral nervous system lymphoma, Primary effusion lymphoma, PrimaryHepatocellular Cancer, Primary Liver Cancer, Primary peritoneal cancer,Primitive neuroectodermal tumor, Prostate cancer, Pseudomyxomaperitonei, Rectal Cancer, Renal cell carcinoma, Respiratory TractCarcinoma Involving the NUT Gene on Chromosome 15, Retinoblastoma,Rhabdomyoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Richter's transformation, Sacrococcygealteratoma, Salivary Gland Cancer, Sarcoma, Schwannomatosis, Sebaceousgland carcinoma, Secondary neoplasm, Seminoma, Serous tumor,Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, Sex cord-stromal tumor, Sezary Syndrome,Signet ring cell carcinoma, Skin Cancer, Small blue round cell tumor,Small cell carcinoma, Small Cell Lung Cancer, Small cell lymphoma, Smallintestine cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma, Somatostatinoma, Soot wart,Spinal Cord Tumor, Spinal tumor, Splenic marginal zone lymphoma,Squamous cell carcinoma, Stomach cancer, Superficial spreading melanoma,Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor, Surfaceepithelial-stromal tumor, Synovial sarcoma, T-cell acute lymphoblasticleukemia, T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia, T-cell leukemia,T-cell lymphoma, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, Teratoma, Terminallymphatic cancer, Testicular cancer, Thecoma, Throat Cancer, ThymicCarcinoma, Thymoma, Thyroid cancer, Transitional Cell Cancer of RenalPelvis and Ureter, Transitional cell carcinoma, Urachal cancer, Urethralcancer, Urogenital neoplasm, Uterine sarcoma, Uveal melanoma, VaginalCancer, Verner Morrison syndrome, Verrucous carcinoma, Visual PathwayGlioma, Vulvar Cancer, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, Warthin's tumor,Wilms' tumor, and combinations thereof.

Computer Systems

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides computer systems that areprogrammed or otherwise configured to implement methods of thedisclosure, e.g., any of the subject methods for medical imaging. FIG.11 shows a computer system 1701 that is programmed or otherwiseconfigured to implement a method for medical imaging. The computersystem 1701 may be configured to, for example, (i) direct anillumination source to combine white light with coherent laser light togenerate a combined light beam, (ii) direct the illumination source toprovide the combined light beam to a scope of a scope assembly, and(iii) direct an image sensor of an optical adapter to receive at least aportion of a light signal that is reflected or emitted by a target siteof a subject upon illumination by the combined light beam. The computersystem 1701 can be an electronic device of a user or a computer systemthat is remotely located with respect to the electronic device. Theelectronic device can be a mobile electronic device.

The computer system 1701 may include a central processing unit (CPU,also “processor” and “computer processor” herein) 1705, which can be asingle core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors forparallel processing. The computer system 1701 also includes memory ormemory location 1710 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory,flash memory), electronic storage unit 1715 (e.g., hard disk),communication interface 1720 (e.g., network adapter) for communicatingwith one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 1725, such ascache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters.The memory 1710, storage unit 1715, interface 1720 and peripheraldevices 1725 are in communication with the CPU 1705 through acommunication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The storage unit1715 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data.The computer system 1701 can be operatively coupled to a computernetwork (“network”) 1730 with the aid of the communication interface1720. The network 1730 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet,or an intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with theInternet. The network 1730 in some cases is a telecommunication and/ordata network. The network 1730 can include one or more computer servers,which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing. Thenetwork 1730, in some cases with the aid of the computer system 1701,can implement a peer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupledto the computer system 1701 to behave as a client or a server.

The CPU 1705 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions,which can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may bestored in a memory location, such as the memory 1710. The instructionscan be directed to the CPU 1705, which can subsequently program orotherwise configure the CPU 1705 to implement methods of the presentdisclosure. Examples of operations performed by the CPU 1705 can includefetch, decode, execute, and writeback.

The CPU 1705 can be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit.One or more other components of the system 1701 can be included in thecircuit. In some cases, the circuit is an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC).

The storage unit 1715 can store files, such as drivers, libraries andsaved programs. The storage unit 1715 can store user data, e.g., userpreferences and user programs. The computer system 1701 in some casescan include one or more additional data storage units that are locatedexternal to the computer system 1701 (e.g., on a remote server that isin communication with the computer system 1701 through an intranet orthe Internet).

The computer system 1701 can communicate with one or more remotecomputer systems through the network 1730. For instance, the computersystem 1701 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user(e.g., a subject, an end user, a consumer, a healthcare provider, animaging technician, etc.). Examples of remote computer systems includepersonal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC's (e.g.,Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g.,Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digitalassistants. The user can access the computer system 1701 via the network1730.

Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g.,computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storagelocation of the computer system 1701, such as, for example, on thememory 1710 or electronic storage unit 1715. The machine executable ormachine readable code can be provided in the form of software. Duringuse, the code can be executed by the processor 1705. In some cases, thecode can be retrieved from the storage unit 1715 and stored on thememory 1710 for ready access by the processor 1705. In some situations,the electronic storage unit 1715 can be precluded, andmachine-executable instructions are stored on memory 1710.

The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machinehaving a processor adapted to execute the code, or can be compiledduring runtime. The code can be supplied in a programming language thatcan be selected to enable the code to execute in a pre-compiled oras-compiled fashion.

Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as the computersystem 1701, can be embodied in programming. Various aspects of thetechnology may be thought of as “products” or “articles of manufacture”typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and/orassociated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machinereadable medium. Machine-executable code can be stored on an electronicstorage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-accessmemory, flash memory) or a hard disk. “Storage” type media can includeany or all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or thelike, or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductormemories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may providenon-transitory storage at any time for the software programming. All orportions of the software may at times be communicated through theInternet or various other telecommunication networks. Suchcommunications, for example, may enable loading of the software from onecomputer or processor into another, for example, from a managementserver or host computer into the computer platform of an applicationserver. Thus, another type of media that may bear the software elementsincludes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as usedacross physical interfaces between local devices, through wired andoptical landline networks and over various air-links. The physicalelements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, opticallinks or the like, also may be considered as media bearing the software.As used herein, unless restricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage”media, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium” refer to anymedium that participates in providing instructions to a processor forexecution.

Hence, a machine readable medium, such as computer-executable code, maytake many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storagemedium, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium.Non-volatile storage media including, for example, optical or magneticdisks, or any storage devices in any computer(s) or the like, may beused to implement the databases, etc. shown in the drawings. Volatilestorage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such acomputer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables;copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a buswithin a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission media may take theform of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light wavessuch as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR)data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media thereforeinclude for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetictape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any otheroptical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storagemedium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wavetransporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may readprogramming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readablemedia may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processor for execution.

The computer system 1701 can include or be in communication with anelectronic display 1735 that comprises a user interface (UI) 1740 forproviding, for example, a portal for a healthcare provider or an imagingtechnician to monitor or track one or more features of the opticaladapter (e.g., coupling to the scope, coupling to the camera, the imagesensor, the optics assembly, etc.). The portal may be provided throughan application programming interface (API). A user or entity can alsointeract with various elements in the portal via the UI. Examples ofUI's include, without limitation, a graphical user interface (GUI) andweb-based user interface.

Methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by wayof one or more algorithms. An algorithm can be implemented by way ofsoftware upon execution by the central processing unit 1705.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides medical imagingmethods and systems usable with an endoscopic device for overlaying alaser speckle contrast image on a standard RGB image of a surgical site.Endoscopic devices may be coupled to RGB video cameras to providesurgeons with high-quality images of anatomical structures orphysiological features in a surgical site within a patient's body. Laserspeckle contrast imaging may also be used to instantly visualizemicrocirculatory tissue blood perfusion in a patient's body.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems that can be usedwith commercially available endoscopic devices for displaying a laserspeckle contrast image in addition to a standard image of a surgicalsite. The images may be displayed individually or together. Forinstance, the laser speckle contrast image may be overlaid on thestandard image of the surgical site.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary imaging system in accordance with oneor more embodiments that can be used with any conventional endoscopicimaging system for displaying laser speckle contrast images in additionto standard images of surgical sites. The conventional endoscopicimaging system may comprise an endoscope 2100 (e.g., a laparoscope orstereoscope), which may be directly coupled to an RGB video camera 2102.An image processing system 2104 coupled to the camera 2102 may displaystandard RGB surgical images on a display 2106.

In some cases, the imaging system may comprise an adapter device 2108,which may be fitted between the endoscope 2100 and the video camera2102. The imaging system may further comprise a light source and animage processing system 2110.

FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary imaging system inaccordance with one or more embodiments. The light source and imageprocessing system 2110 may be configured to combine laser light andwhite light provided to a light input port 2112 of the endoscope 2100. Adichroic beam splitter 2114 may be configured to combine a laser lightfrom an IR laser diode 2116 controlled by an IR laser controller 2118with a white light from a white light LED 2120 controlled by a whitelight controller 2122.

Light from the light sources may be directed through the distal end ofthe endoscope 2100 and may be incident on the surgical site. Lightreturned or reflected from the surgical site may be transmitted throughthe endoscope to the adapter device 2108. A dichroic beam splitter 2124in the adapter device 2108 may pass light having a wavelength greaterthan 800 nanometers (nm) to a monochrome near infrared (NIR) camera2126. Light having a wavelength less than 800 nm may pass to the RGBcolor camera 2102. The NIR camera 2126 may generate sensor signals thatare processed by an image processing system 2128. The RGB color camera2102 may generate sensor signals that are processed by the camera videoprocessor 2104, which may use the processed sensor signals to generate astandard RGB video stream. The RGB video stream may be provided to theimage processing system 2128.

The image processing system 2128 may be configured to perform laserspeckle contrast imaging from the sensor signals received from the NIRcamera 2126. The image processing system 2128 may be configured tocombine the laser speckle contrast imaging with the standard RGB videostream output by the video processor 2104 to produce a video output thatcan be displayed on the display 2106.

The laser speckle contrast images and the standard RGB images of thesurgical site may be displayed individually or together. For instance,the laser speckle contrast image may be overlaid on the standard imageof the surgical site. FIG. 14A is an exemplary screenshot from astandard RGB surgical video shown on the display 2106. FIG. 14B showsthe corresponding laser speckle contrast image shown on the display2106. In this example, the highlighted portions in FIG. 14B may indicateone or more areas in the scene where there is blood flow. FIG. 14C showsthe laser speckle contrast image of FIG. 14B overlaid on the standardimage of FIG. 14A. A user may switch between each of the types of imagesdisplayed, as desired.

FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a camera 2130 forperforming both depth and laser speckle imaging in accordance with oneor more embodiments. The camera 2130 may utilize a depth imagingprocessor 2128 to generate stereo depth data from two or more sensors2132. Laser speckle contrast imaging may be performed using data from athird sensor 2134. The image processor 2138 may be configured to processthe data from one or more sensors for video output.

FIG. 16 . illustrates a simplified block diagram of an alternate camera2140 for performing hyperspectral, depth, and laser speckle imaging.Stereo depth imaging may be processed using a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) 2142. The stereo depth imaging may be frame synced beforebeing processed by the FPGA. In one or more embodiments, the device mayacquire alternating white light and hyperspectral light at one or moresensors 2144 for every other frame (for effective 30 frames per second(FPS) video). 60 frames per second (FPS) video may be used whenhyperspectral mode is not enabled. Laser-speckle data may be acquiredsimultaneously with a third sensor 2146.

Referring now to FIG. 17 , a schematic of an exemplary computing node isshown that may be used with the medical imaging systems describedherein. Computing node 3010 is only one example of a suitable computingnode and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope ofuse or functionality of embodiments described herein. Regardless,computing node 3010 may be capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In computing node 3010 there may be a computer system/server 3012, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 3012 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 3012 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 3012 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , computer system/server 3012 in computingnode 3010 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device.The components of computer system/server 3012 may include, but are notlimited to, one or more processors or processing units 3016, a systemmemory 3028, and a bus 3018 coupling various system components includingsystem memory 3028 to processor 3016.

Bus 3018 may comprise one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 3012 may include a variety of computer systemreadable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessibleby computer system/server 3012, and may include both volatile andnon-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 3028 can include computer system readable media in theform of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 3030 and/orcache memory 3032. Computer system/server 3012 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 3034 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 3018 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 3028 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the disclosure.

Program/utility 3040, having a set (at least one) of program modules3042, may be stored in memory 3028 by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, andprogram data or some combination thereof, may include an implementationof a networking environment. Program modules 3042 generally carry outthe functions and/or methodologies of embodiments described herein.

Computer system/server 3012 may also communicate with one or moreexternal devices 3014 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display3024, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact withcomputer system/server 3012; and/or any devices (e.g., network card,modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 3012 to communicate withone or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur viaInput/Output (I/O) interfaces 3022. Still yet, computer system/server3012 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a publicnetwork (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 3020. As depicted,network adapter 3020 communicates with the other components of computersystem/server 3012 via bus 3018. It should be understood that althoughnot shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used inconjunction with computer system/server 3012. Examples, include, but arenot limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units,external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archivalstorage systems, etc.

The present disclosure provides a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present disclosure may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In various embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In various alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intendedthat the invention be limited by the specific examples provided withinthe specification. While the invention has been described with referenceto the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrationsof the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limitingsense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur tothose skilled in the art without departing from the invention.Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the inventionare not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relativeproportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditionsand variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to theembodiments of the invention described herein may be employed inpracticing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that theinvention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications,variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claimsdefine the scope of the invention and that methods and structures withinthe scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical module comprising: a housingcomprising (1) a first portion configured to releasably couple to ascope and (2) a second portion configured to releasably couple to acamera; an image sensor in the housing; and an optics assembly disposedin the housing, wherein the optics assembly is configured to (i) receivelight signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject'sbody and transmitted through the scope, and (ii) reflect a first portionof the light signals onto one of the image sensor or the camera, whilepermitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to theother one of the image sensor or the camera so as to enablemulti-wavelength imaging of the target site; wherein the image sensor isconfigured to detect wavelengths with in a first range and the camera isconfigured to detect wavelengths within a second range different fromthe first range, and wherein the first range or the second rangecomprises reflected light signals comprising laser speckle from thetarget sight.
 2. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the image sensoris configured to generate a first set of imaging data from the firstportion of the light signals, and the camera is configured to generate asecond set of imaging data from the second portion of the light signals.3. The optical module of claim 2, wherein the second set of imaging datacomprises photographic or video images.
 4. The optical module of claim1, wherein the optics assembly comprises a beam splitter.
 5. The opticalmodule of claim 4, wherein the beam splitter comprises a dichroicmirror.
 6. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the optics assemblycomprises a short pass dichroic mirror, a long pass, dichroic mirror, ora bandpass filter.
 7. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the firstportion of the light signals comprises backscattered light that isgenerated when the target site is illuminated with coherent laser lighttransmitted via the scope.
 8. The optical module of claim 7, wherein thescope is operably coupled to (1) a single laser source havingsubstantially a single wavelength lying in an invisible spectrum,wherein the single laser source is configured to transmit the coherentlaser light through the scope to the target site or (2) a plurality oflaser sources having a plurality of different wavelengths lying in aninvisible spectrum, wherein the coherent laser light from the pluralityof laser sources is combined and transmitted through the scope to thetarget site.
 9. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the secondportion of the light signals comprises reflected light that is generatedwhen the target site is illuminated with white light transmitted via thescope, wherein the reflected light is in a visible spectrum.
 10. Theoptical module of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the housing isconfigured to releasably couple to the scope using a quick releasemechanism.
 11. The optical module of claim 10, wherein the quick releasemechanism is configured to releasably couple the optical module to thescope, wherein the scope is selected from a plurality of different typesof scopes having a plurality of different sizes.
 12. The optical moduleof claim 10, wherein the quick release mechanism is configured to permita user to releasably couple the first portion of the housing to thescope without use of tools.
 13. The optical module of claim 1, whereinthe second portion of the housing is configured to releasably couple tothe camera using a quick release mechanism.
 14. The optical module ofclaim 13, wherein the quick release mechanism is configured toreleasably couple the optical module to the camera, wherein the camerais selected from a plurality of different types of cameras having aplurality of different sizes.
 15. The optical module of claim 13,wherein the quick release mechanism is configured to permit a user toreleasably couple the second portion of the housing to the camerawithout use of tools.
 16. The optical module of claim 1, wherein theoptics assembly further comprises a focusing device for the imagesensor.
 17. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the optics assemblyfurther comprises (i) a first focusing device for the image sensor and(ii) a second focusing device for the camera.
 18. The optical module ofclaim 17, wherein the first focusing device and the second focusingdevice are coupled to each other such that focusing for the image sensorand for the camera is capable of being performed concurrently.
 19. Theoptical module of claim 17, wherein the first focusing device and thesecond focusing device are operably coupled to each other via a gearingmechanism.
 20. The optical module of claim 17, wherein the firstfocusing device and the second focusing device are provided separatelyand configured to be operated independently of each other.
 21. Theoptical module of claim 1, wherein the scope is configured to (1)receive a combined light beam from an illumination source and (2) directthe combined light beam onto the target site.
 22. The optical module ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the housingshare a common optical axis.
 23. The optical module of claim 1, whereinthe image sensor and the camera have different optical axes.
 24. Theoptical module of claim 1, wherein an optical axis of the image sensoris substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera.
 25. Theoptical module of claim 1, wherein the multi-wavelength imaging of thetarget site is enabled without use of a dye.
 26. The optical module ofclaim 17, wherein the first focusing device or the second focusingdevice is operably connected to a process configured to automaticallyadjust a focus of the first focusing device or the second focusingdevice.